The Houston Texans’ twin first-round picks represent an opportunity to upgrade an entire unit in the same round rather than piecemeal it throughout the draft.
Getting a quarterback and a receiver together in Round 1 would allow them the option to exercise the fifth year in their contracts and allow the franchise flexibility later on when it comes to keeping the two under contract, pending Houston’s first-round passing tandem is that productive over the course of their rookie contracts.
In Bucky Brooks’ first mock draft for NFL.com, the Texans use their No. 2 overall pick to take Alabama quarterback Bryce Young.
Despite the concerns around Young’s size, the Texans opt for the most polished passer in the draft.
Brooks’ mock doesn’t feature any fascinating trades where teams try to jump Houston and pick No. 1 overall. The other quarterbacks who go in the top-15 are Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, who goes No. 4 overall to the Indianapolis Colts. Kentucky’s Will Levis goes No. 9 to the Carolina Panthers.
The Texans then use their No. 12 overall pick — obtained via 2022 offseason trade with the Cleveland Browns — to take TCU wideout Quentin Johnston.
Checking in at 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds (school measurements), the super-sized speedster is a natural WR1 with big-play potential.
Throw in a healthy, developing John Metchie and Nico Collins entering his third season, and the Texans would have a young passing attack that could instantly fix the offense.
